AMD Ryzen 7 5705G vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Comparison

AMD Ryzen 7 5705G and Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus occupy different corners of the processor market. The Ryzen 7 5705G is a desktop part built for the long-serving AM4 platform, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is a mobile flagship designed for high-end laptops. The recorded data shows a clear performance hierarchy, with the Intel part dominating multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads. This analysis breaks down where each processor wins, the architectural reasons behind the gap, and what the benchmark scores mean in context.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins in every recorded benchmark category. The database lists 17 benchmark results for the Intel part, and it holds the advantage in all of them. The Ryzen 7 5705G has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, so its performance profile must be inferred from its specifications rather than direct measurements. This makes the comparison one-sided in terms of data, but the architectural differences explain why.

The Intel part wins decisively in multi-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39,684 points places it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Ryzen 7 5705G, with 8 cores and 16 threads, cannot compete with the Intel part's 24 cores and 24 threads in heavily parallel tasks like video rendering, 3D modeling, and scientific computing. The Intel part's Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 21,198 and Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 5,981 reinforce this pattern.

Single-threaded performance also favors Intel. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus reaches a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, which drives its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2,356 points. The Ryzen 7 5705G boosts to 4.60 GHz, a lower ceiling that limits its single-thread ceiling. For everyday tasks like web browsing, office applications, and light coding, the Intel part holds a measurable edge.

The Intel part also wins in specialized workloads. Its Passmark data compression score of 658,724, data encryption score of 50,008, and floating point math score of 201,773 all indicate strong performance in data-intensive tasks. The Ryzen 7 5705G has no such scores recorded, but its older Zen 3 architecture and DDR4 memory support suggest it would trail in these areas.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The Ryzen 7 5705G uses AMD's Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm process node, fabricated by TSMC. It packs 10,700 million transistors into a 180 mm² die. The codename is Cezanne, and it belongs to the 5000 series of Ryzen processors. This is a mature design, released for the desktop segment with an AM4 socket.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses a newer manufacturing process. It is built on a 3 nm node, also by TSMC, with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The codename is Arrow Lake-HX Refresh, and it belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2. This is a mobile part with a BGA 2114 socket, designed for laptops where power efficiency and density matter.

Core configuration differs sharply. The Ryzen 7 5705G has 8 cores and 16 threads, a conventional symmetric design. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads, which indicates a hybrid architecture with performance and efficiency cores, though the database does not specify the exact core mix. The lack of hyper-threading on the Intel part, given that threads equal cores, is notable.

Cache hierarchy also diverges. The Ryzen 7 5705G has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel part has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Intel part's larger L3 cache, more than double the Ryzen's, helps with data-heavy workloads and reduces memory latency.

Memory support is another major divider. The Ryzen 7 5705G uses DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth, exactly double the Ryzen's throughput. This bandwidth advantage matters for tasks that stream large datasets. The Intel part also supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen does not.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The Ryzen 7 5705G offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Intel part offers PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes, quadrupling the per-lane bandwidth of the older standard. This benefits fast NVMe storage and discrete GPUs in mobile systems.

Integrated graphics present another contrast. The Ryzen 7 5705G includes Radeon Graphics with 512 shader processors. The Intel part includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The database does not include GPU benchmarks, so a direct comparison of graphics performance is not possible from the recorded data. Both parts are capable of driving displays without a discrete GPU.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. The AMD Ryzen 7 5705G has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the boost clock difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus boosts to 5.50 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 7 5705G boosts to 4.60 GHz, a 0.90 GHz lower ceiling.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports DDR5 memory with 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD Ryzen 7 5705G supports DDR4 memory with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: What is the process node for each?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is built on a 3 nm process. The AMD Ryzen 7 5705G is built on a 7 nm process.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 7 5705G has 16 MB of L3 cache.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, the database lists the multiplier as unlocked for both the AMD Ryzen 7 5705G and the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field in the database. The AMD Ryzen 7 5705G has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. The Ryzen's base clock is 3.80 GHz and boost clock is 4.60 GHz. The Intel part's base clock is 2.70 GHz and boost clock is 5.50 GHz. The Ryzen has a 65 W TDP, while the Intel part has a 55 W TDP.

The Ryzen 7 5705G uses the AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses Intel BGA 2114. The Ryzen is a desktop part, the Intel is a mobile part. Their process nodes differ: 7 nm for AMD, 3 nm for Intel. Transistor counts are 10,700 million for AMD and 17,800 million for Intel. Die sizes are 180 mm² for AMD and 243 mm² for Intel.

Cache configurations are distinct. The AMD part has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB L3. The Intel part has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB L3. Memory support differs in type and bandwidth: DDR4 at 51.2 GB/s for AMD, DDR5 at 102.4 GB/s for Intel. ECC memory is unsupported on the AMD part but supported on the Intel part.

PCIe capabilities vary. The AMD part offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The Intel part offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: Radeon Graphics 512SP on the AMD side, Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU on the Intel side. The Intel part has a later release date of 2026-03-16, while the AMD part was released on 2025-02-23. The AMD part has a part number of 100-000001800, while the Intel part has a part number of SADSS.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database provides benchmark scores for the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, but no corresponding scores for the AMD Ryzen 7 5705G. This means the head-to-head comparison relies entirely on the Intel part's recorded results and the architectural context for the AMD part.

In multi-threaded performance, the Intel part shows dominant results. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39,684 points is a strong figure. For context, its nearest rivals in the database are the Intel Core i9-14900KF with an average score of 79,371 and a delta of 0.3%, the AMD EPYC 7413 with 80,041 and a delta of -0.6%, the Intel Core i9-14900K with 79,097 and a delta of 0.6%, and the Intel Xeon w5-2565X with 80,671 and a delta of -1.4%. The Intel part sits at the 95th percentile of all CPUs, indicating that it outperforms the vast majority of processors in the database.

The Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 21,198 and R15 multi-core score of 5,981 follow the same pattern. These scores, combined with the near-parity with the Core i9-14900KF and Core i9-14900K, place the Intel part firmly in high-end desktop territory despite its mobile form factor.

Single-threaded performance is equally impressive. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2,356 points, R20 single-core score of 2,992, and R15 single-core score of 340 all indicate strong per-core efficiency. The Passmark single-thread score of 4,951 confirms this. The 5.50 GHz boost clock enables this level of performance.

Specialized workloads show the Intel part's versatility. The Passmark data compression score of 658,724 is exceptionally high, suggesting efficient handling of file archiving and database operations. Data encryption at 50,008 and extended instructions at 51,290 show strong cryptographic and SIMD performance. Floating point math at 201,773 and integer math at 164,839 indicate robust compute capabilities for scientific and financial workloads. Random string sorting at 80,327 and find prime numbers at 519 round out the picture.

The Ryzen 7 5705G has no benchmark scores in the database. Its 8-core, 16-thread configuration and lower boost clock of 4.60 GHz suggest it would trail the Intel part in both multi-threaded and single-threaded tests. The Zen 3 architecture, while capable, lacks the core count and clock speed of the Intel part.

The Verdict

The database shows a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the faster processor across every recorded benchmark. Its 24 cores, 5.50 GHz boost clock, DDR5 memory support, and larger cache make it a high-performance option for mobile workstations and gaming laptops. The 95th percentile ranking confirms its position among the fastest CPUs in the database.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5705G serves a different purpose. As a desktop part with 8 cores and 16 threads, it targets mainstream AM4 builds. Its 65 W TDP, DDR4 support, and PCIe Gen 3 connectivity are suited for budget-conscious desktop systems where upgrade paths matter. The unlocked multiplier allows for overclocking, which can partially offset the clock speed disadvantage.

Users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput for rendering, compiling, or data analysis should choose the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39,684 and Passmark multithread score of 59,439 demonstrate its capability in these workloads. Users who prioritize single-thread responsiveness will also prefer the Intel part, given its 5.50 GHz boost clock and higher single-core scores.

The Ryzen 7 5705G is the appropriate choice for desktop builders who want a capable 8-core processor on the AM4 platform. Its lack of recorded benchmarks means its exact performance relative to the Intel part cannot be quantified from the database, but its specifications indicate it delivers solid mid-range performance for everyday computing and moderate productivity tasks. The choice between the two comes down to platform and form factor: a desktop AM4 build versus a mobile BGA system.